Dear Viet Nam News,

Dear Viet Nam News,

I have lived in Viet Nam for 11 years and made many changes in my own behaviour and expectations over the years as I am a guest in this country. Most of the time I can say that many issues no longer challenge me as they might a newer emigre.

However I am incensed every time I try to walk over pedestrian crossings, as I presume they have been marked out to provide protection. Actually on nearly every crossing, I risk my life.

I would be grateful for answers to the following queries.

1. Since 99 per cent of Vietnamese drivers don’t respect pedestrian crossings, why does the Ministry of Transport paint them on the road? Is there actually a regulation that prohibits people from driving across in front of people using the crossing? Why don’t the police enforce it?

2. Are Vietnamese drivers aware of their safety aspect and do any care that they might hit someone and hurt or kill them? I use these crossings regularly, but have been hit several times. If I shout at those who hit me or who come very close, I am met with a torrent of words as if I am the one in the wrong.

3. Since almost everyone is convinced that the crossings offer no protection, they are encouraged to dash across wherever it is convenient. Therefore, as a driver, I often come close to hitting them as they dive across the road, often from behind parked cars or other obstructions, which makes it difficult to see them. So my last question is, if I hit such a pedestrian with my motorbike, who is at fault, me or them? What is the regulation on accidents where the pedestrian cannot be seen and what is at stake for an innocent driver, particularly a foreigner, who hits a random pedestrian using such risky behaviour?

Many thanks for any assistance you can give me!!

Melissa Merryweather

 

Dear Ms Merryweather,

Transportation in Viet Nam is really a headache. Many readers of Viet Nam News shared the same feeling. Crossing is not only a nightmare for foreigners, but Vietnamese as well. We understand your feeling.

Regarding your concerns, the Deputy Director of Viet Nam Road Administration, Nguyen Van Quyen, says that Viet Nam Road Transport Law, Article 32, regulates pedestrian rights and responsibilities in detail.

In terms of enforcement, the head of the Advisory Board under the Road and Railway Transportation Police Department, La Khac Hoa, says the law sets a fine of VND50,000 (US$2.80) for an illegal road crossing. However, the awareness of citizens is low and there are not enough police to handle the situation. He says a camera system monitors some traffic spots, but there are not enough resources to cover all danger areas.

He says the department is working on a plan dealing with all traffic violations. Under it, the camera system will be upgraded and capture more violations. The draft has been approved by the Prime Minister and is expected to come into effect at the end of this year.

The answer to the second question depends on who is asked and by whom.

Regarding your last question, the National Transport Safety Committee says no nationwide plan exists on pedestrian road crossings. Authorities of provinces and cities have their own right to make decisions. Ha Noi has a plan to build pedestrian bridges across roads. A total of 18 will be built in heavy traffic areas.

Regarding the pedestrians running out from behind cars, Hoa confirms the pedestrian will be charged. According to Hoa, there have been cases where pedestrians faced trial for their illegal behaviour.

The Editor

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Southern provinces honour top students

Southern provinces honour top students

The Hoa Trang Nguyen (Top Laureate) awards were given on Sunday to 608 students from 26 southern provinces and cities who had the highest exam scores in their high schools, won prizes in national competitions and medals in international academic Olympic competitions, or were top scorers on the 2009 university entrance exams. At least 1,655 students were given Hoa Trang Nguyen awards this year.

Nhan Dan (The People)

Needy Vinh Long students to get scholarships

The Vo Van Kiet Scholarship Fund, named after the late Prime Minister, will award 300 first scholarships to needy students in Vinh Long Province during the fourth quarter of the year. The fund will grant scholarships worth VND1 million each to university students, VND800,000 to high school students and VND600,000 to secondary students.

Tuoi Tre (Youth)

Information security day to be organised

The Viet Nam Information Security Association and the Viet Nam Computer Emergency Response Team will organise the second Day of Information Security in mid-November, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The programme aims to link the Government, society and businesses.

Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam (Viet Nam Economic Times)

Dong Thap province to upgrade infrastructure

The Dong Thap People’s Committee will issue Government bonds worth VND137 billion (US$7.61 million) to build the province’s infrastructure. Of that amount, VND74 billion ($4.1 million) will be used for transport projects, VND25 billion ($1.39 million) for irrigation projects, VND20 billion ($1.1 million) to upgrade hospitals and clinics, and VND18 billion ($1 million) to upgrade classrooms and teachers’ houses.

Dau Tu (Viet Nam Investment Review)

First wound treatment centre opens

Viet Nam and HCM City’s first Wound Treatment Centre has begun operation at the Medicine University’s Hospital in District 5. The centre will offer treatment for non-healing wounds because of diabetes, ulcers, burns or injury. The centre will also train doctors and medical orderlies in wound treatment.

Thanh Nien (Young People)

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

35 key transport projects to receive funding

35 key transport projects to receive funding

HCM City People’s Committee on Monday agreed to give top funding priority to 35 key transport infrastructure works next year.

The projects, which will need funds of around VND454 billion (US$25.2 million), include the underground rail network, the Nhon Trach Bridge, a road linking HCM City’s District 9 with Nhon Trach new urban area in Dong Nai Province, and a high-speed expressway from Ben Luc in Long An Province to Long Thanh in Dong Nai Province through the city.

Thanh Nien (Young People)

San Francisco eyes trade ties with HCM City

A delegation from San Francisco is now in HCM City to explore trade and economic co-operation between the two localities that became sister cities in 1995.

The delegation, headed by Mark Chandler, San Francisco’s director of International Trade, was received by People’s Committee deputy chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hong on Monday. HCM City will create favourable conditions for investment by businesses from the US city, according to Hong.

Saigon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon)

Vietnamese youth leave for annual Lao meeting

A group of 60 Vietnamese youths will leave for Laos this week to attend the 10th Viet Nam-Laos Youth Friendship Meeting from October 2 to October 9, according to Duong Van An, first secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union.

The meeting is organised every year in either country to strengthen co-operation and friendship between youths and peoples of the two countries.

Tuoi Tre (Youth)

HCM City faces shortage of 110,000 workers

HCM City would need 110,000 workers in the fourth quarter of this year, the city’s Centre for Human Resources Forecast and Labour Market Information said after surveying 10,000 local businesses.

Most jobs are in the textile, finance, food processing, electricity and construction sectors.

Nguoi Lao Dong (The Labourer)

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

New contest aims to foster Green ideas

HA NOI — The Green Idea Contest 2009 was launched yesterday in Ha Noi by Toyota Motor Viet Nam (TMV) in co-ordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and the General Department of the Environment.

The contest is part of the master Go Green programme and will be held annually, according to organisers. Through the contest, the organisers will search for the most feasible ideas to put into practice regarding green technologies and ideas.

“We aim to raise public awareness of protecting the environment and contributing to improving the quality of the environment in Viet Nam,” said TMV general director Akito Tachibana.

“The contest was designed to create a healthy and meaningful playground for young environmental lovers and to help them have a say in protecting their surroundings.

“It will also help educate youth about environmental protection and promote creative thinking, in turn raising awareness of environmental protection,” Akito said. The contest will take place from now through January 28 in two rounds. In the first round, candidates will make entries on paper and the Judgement Board will select 18 of the best ideas. In the second round, qualified candidates will be given VND2 million (US$110) a piece to decorate a 9sq.m booth. The Judgement Board will listen to their presentations and evaluate the products and ideas at each booth.

The contest papers should meet the following criteria: they should be creative and scientifically based, realistic, environmentally safe and include details on maintenance and presentation.

With a total prize purse of VND215 million (US$12,000), the contest will include one champion (VND30 million), one first runner-up VND20,000, one second runner-up VND15,000, and 15 encouragement prizes (VND10 million each).

Entries should be sent to Venus Communications at North Star Building, 4 Da Tuong Street in Ha Noi. For further information please log into the website: www.gogreen.com.vn. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Dam project, loggers threat to nesting sites of rare bird

Under threat: Grey-crowned crocias (Crocias langbianis) in Don Duong District, Lam Dong Province. — Photo courtesy of Jonathan C Eames

HA NOI – Three new nesting sites for the grey-crowned crocias (Crocias langbianis), an endangered species endemic to Viet Nam, have been discovered.

Prior to recent fieldwork conducted by BirdLife International, along with colleagues from Bi Doup – Nui Ba National Park and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, the only recorded nestingsites were in forests of the Lan Vien Landscape Protection Area, including the Ta Nung Valley and Chu Yang Sin National Park, in Dac Lac Province.

During the field survey, pairs were recorded at two locations in the Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest in Lac Duong District, a site currently being logged and cleared for a hydroelectric project. The survey team observed a pair or crocias at the forest edge within 507m of the construction site.

Three pairs were also located in D’Ran Watershed Protection Forest in Don Duong District in a mosaic of broadleaf evergreen and coniferous forest. Another seven pairs were found along a 207km transect of the Don Duong plantation forest, a broadleaved evergreen forest which is being logged on a 35-year rotation.

“We have grave concerns for two of the newly discovered sites,” said Jonathan C Eames, programme manager of Birdlife International in Indochina. “The reservoir site of the hydroelectric project in Da Nhim is located within the elevation range and habitat of the crocias and the Don Duong site is being logged.”

Elsewhere in the Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest, and again within the habitat and altitude range of the crocias, the team observed recent forest clearance for coffee plantations and under-planting of Japanese horseradish (wasabe) in primary evergreen forest.

“If wasabe cultivation proves profitable, its cultivation could rapidly spread through remaining forests in Lam Dong Province, as was the case with coffee, with a negative impact on ground dwelling and understorey-dependent species,” said Eames. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Karate team snags silver, bronze

Karate team snags silver, bronze

Viet Nam’s Karate team won three silvers and two bronzes at the ninth Asian Karate Championship at Foshan City in Guangdong Province in China.

The country ranked fourth in the overall standings behind Japan, where the sport originated, and Iran and China.

Silver medals came from the men’s kumite event, women’s kata event and the team’s kata event, while Viet Nam’s bronze medals were won by Bui Thi Trieu in the women’s 61kg event and Vu Thi Nguyet Anh in the women’s 50kg.

In the men’s under-55kg kumite event, Pham Hoai Long lost to an Iranian athlete in the final and had to settle for the silver.

In the kata event, world defending champion Nguyen Hoang Ngan won the silver after being beaten 1-4 by Japanese athlete Rika Usami.

Meanwhile the women’s kata team lost 0-5 to the Japanese in the final.

Viet Nam won three silvers and five bronzes in the last tournament.

The six-day tournament, which wrapped up on Sunday, attracted 464 athletes from 28 countries and territories. Viet Nam had four referees adjudicating at this year’s tournament.

Thanh wins charity golf event

Viet Nam’s Nguyen Chi Thanh won a charity golf tournament organised by Movenpick Hotel Hanoi and Movenpick Hotel Saigon at King’s Island Golf Club in Ha Noi on Saturday. Thanh finished on 72.

Mark Pierce won the men’s division A, while Chu Hao finished first in division B.

Hao’s wife, Do Thi Kim Oanh, won the ladies’ category with an overall 72.

The charity event, which attracted about 100 participants, raised US$7,000 for Agent Orange victims.

The Cong change name to Viettel

The Cong, or Army team, officially changed its name to celebrate its 55th anniversary last week.

The football team, which was managed by the Defence Ministry, will take the name of its sponsor, the Military Telecom Corporation (Viettel), next season.

Last year the team received VND75 billion ($4.2 million) and this year VND30 billion ($1.7 million), much of which is reserved for recruiting new players and salaries, though the team just placed 9th out of 14 in the premiership V-League.

Five years ago the team unhappily marked its 50th anniversary by being relegated to the lower league First Division. In its history, Army have won five national championship titles and one National Cup.

U-23 team to play friendlies

The Viet Nam U-23 team, who returned home from a 10-day training course in Hongta, Kunming, China, and resumed training in Ha Noi, will play friendlies with local teams this week.

Coach Henrique Calisto and the Viet Nam Football Federation will seek opponents for the U-23 squad in preparation for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos this December.

It’s expected that local teams, including Hoa Phat Ha Noi, T&T Ha Noi, Nam Dinh, Hai Phong and Da Nang of Dong Tam Long An will be powerful partners for the U-23 team for friendly matches. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

HCM City top medal winner at Vovinam

HCM CITY — HCM City secured three gold medals on the second day of competition at the National Vovinam Championship to lead the medals table, while the Army followed closely behind.

In the performance techniques competition, world champions Pham Thi Phuong and Huynh Khac Nguyen of HCM City proved too strong when they easily bagged gold in the dragon-tiger form and five-gate form categories.

Tran Ngoc Nam added one gold medal to HCM City by beating Tran Anh Tuan of Thanh Hoa Province in the final of the men’s under-51kg category.

The Army’s veteran martial artists, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Loan, Vo Tran Hoang Mai, Nguyen Van Thoi and Tran Thanh Son, showed a convincing performance to win gold in the female multiple training category.

In the women’s under-63kg category, the Army’s Nguyen Son Ca overcame Le Thi Ngoc Diem from Tien Giang Province to win her team’s second gold medal of the day and the Army’s fourth gold medal so far.

Can Tho snatched two gold medals and one silver medal to move ahead of An Giang Province with two gold medals.

Martial artists from Can Tho City also did well when the quartet of Nguyen Trung Tinh, Tran Cong Tao, Doan Hoang Tham and Tran Tan Lap surpassed the Army’s quartet by the narrowest of margins, 26.6 points over 26.4 points, to win gold in the male multiple training category.

Can Tho city’s second gold medal was awarded in the 10-technique-eight principle form category by Pham Van Thang, who outdid Nguyen Trong Hoai from the Army and Vu Van Quy of Binh Duong Province.

In the under-48kg category, world champion Ha Nam Anh of An Giang beat Pham Van Tuan of Quang Ngai Province 5-0 by delivering correct and powerful punches.

Dong Nai Province had its first gold medal when Pham Thi Kim Lien defeated Pham Thi Tuyet Dung of the Army in the final of the women’s under-42kg category while Mai Thi Kim Thuy grabbed the first gold medal for Khanh Hoa in the square-circle category.

More than 300 top martial artists from 22 provinces and cities nationwide are taking part in the four-day tournament, which is a warm-up for the Vovinams at the Asian Indoor Games that Viet Nam will host from October 31-November 8. The tourament ends today. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Technical course for swim coaches opens

Technical course for swim coaches opens

Swimming coaches nationwide had a chance to improve their training methods in a 10-day technical course for swimming coaches held by American expert Jim Puleo at the Ha Noi Aquatic Sports Palace yesterday.

Their course focused on how to train and improve junior and senior swimmers’ physical strength, resistance, speed, durability and competition tactics.

Yen wins bronze at Asian Chinese chess champs

Vietnamese Nguyen Hoang Yen managed to win a bronze at the 14th Asian Chinese Chess Championships, which wrapped up on Sunday in Malaysia.

On the men’s side, Nguyen Tran Do Ninh finished fifth out of 17 players from 15 countries and territories with 4.5 points, after drawing with Indonesia’s Setiawan in his last game.

Ninh’s teammate Tran Chanh Tam ranked sixth also finished with 4.5 points.

This event will be a good chance for Vietnamese players to gain more experience before the third Asian Indoor Games, which will be held in Viet Nam on October 30.

Thanh Hoa to host international sepak takraw

Viet Nam will host an International Sepak Takraw Tournament, the Viet Nam Open, in Thanh Hoa Province from October 2-7, reported the Viet Nam Sepak Takraw Federation.

The tournament next month will attract six teams, including the national team and the Ha Noi squad.

Organisers said that players will compete in the men’s and women’s team and doubles events for a total cash-prize of US$10,800.

The sport , which has existed in Viet Nam since 1990, is played in 15 provinces and cities with the participation of over 200 professional players and coaches.

Amateurs to run for peace at Hoan Kiem Lake

The final race of the 37th Run for Peace will be held at Ly Thai To Park by Hoan Kiem Lake next month.

Amateur athletes will compete in a 3.5km race for men and a 1.75km race for women. In the professional league, the men will run 8.7km, while the women will race for 5.2km.

The race around Hoan Kiem Lake will also mark the 55th anniversary of Ha Noi’s liberation on October 10, and the 1,000th of Thang Long-Ha Noi next year. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Racers shine at Asian champs

Viet Nam won two silvers and three bronzes at the 13th annual Asian Canoe Sprint Racing Championships, which wrapped up at Azadi Lake in Tehran yesterday.

On the last day of competition, Hoang Hong Anh won the second silver for Viet Nam in the men’s C1 5,000m.

Anh finished the race with a time of 23:16.50, while Iran’s Naseri Shahoo finished first with a time of 23:11.27 and Indonesia’s Asnawir came in third with 24:23.19.

Viet Nam’s first silver went to Luu Van Hoan/Tran Van Long on Sunday when they came in second in the men’s C2 1,000m.

In the men’s C2 500m on Monday, this duo tried their hardest and finished with a time of 01:54.67 to grab a bronze, behind South Korea’s Kim Taeeun/Shin Dongjin (01:53.29) and Kazakhstan’s Stepanov Vyacheslav/Satubaldin Zhomart (01:50.29).

On Monday afternoon, Long/Hoan won another bronze in the men’s C2 200m with a time of 00:41.24. Kazakhstan and Indonesia came in first and second with a time of 00:39.68 and 00:40.99.

Nguyen Thanh Quang also won a bronze on Monday in the men’s K1 200m with a time of 00:38.61. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn

Indoor arena put to the test

HA NOI — Viet Nam will host an indoor athletics tournament at the 3,100-seat My Dinh Indoor Athletics venue from tomorrow.

The two-day event – a pre-Asian Indoor Games tournament – aims to test the new indoor sports complex in preparation for the games, to be held in Viet Nam for the first time, from October 30 to November 8.

Overseen by the Olympic Council of Asia and Asian Athletics Federation, this week’s event will attract the participation of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, who will compete in running, high jump, long jump and shot-put.

Duong Duc Thuy, head of athletics section of the National Sports Administration, said some of Viet Nam’s top short and medium-distance runners would be absent from the event because they were in training for the main event. They included Southeast Asian Games gold medallists Vu Thi Huong, Truong Thanh Hang and Nguyen Dinh Cuong.

The new sports venue, located in the My Dinh Athletes Training Centre in western Ha Noi, is one of the most modern in the country and a landmark in the capital. It was built in preparation for the Asian Games.

It measures 31,000sq.m, will hold 3,000 spectators and accommodate 13 field and track events for the games.

The Asian Games events will be held in Ha Noi, HCM City, Hai Phong, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong and Quang Ninh.

The Asian Games are expected to attract over 4,000 athletes, coaches and officials from 45 countries and territories, who will compete in 20 official sports and one demonstration event. —

Source: vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn